Process and device for coating fibers with a metal by a liquid method

Abstract

The invention relates to a process of coating fibers with a metal by a liquid method. In this process, a fiber (3) is drawn through a bath (15) of molten liquid metal so as to coated with the latter, the liquid metal bath (15) being maintained in a crucible (9) of the “levitation” type, which at least partly eliminates contact between the liquid metal and the crucible (9). The bath (15) is fed with metal, during the process, by a metal powder (16). Thanks to the invention, the molten metal bath is fed in a simple and effective manner.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 12 / 124,562 filed May 21, 2008, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. Application Ser. No. 12 / 124,562 is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from prior French Patent Application No. 07 03634 filed May 22, 2007.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention relates to a process and a device for coating fibers with a metal by a liquid method.DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART[0003]In the aeronautical field in particular, a constant objective is to optimize the strength of parts for a minimal mass and minimal size. Thus certain parts may now include an insert made of a metal matrix composite. Such a composite comprises a metal alloy matrix, for example a titanium (Ti) alloy matrix, in which fibers, for example silicon carbide (SiC) ceramic fibers, extend. Such fibers have a tensile strength much higher than that of titanium (typically, 4000 MPa compare...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a process and device for coating fibers with metal by a liquid method. The process involves drawing fibers through a bath of molten liquid metal, such as titanium alloy, using a crucible of the "levitation" type, which eliminates contact between the liquid metal and the crucible. Metal powder is poured into the bath via a vibrating plate, which allows for precise control of the powder flow rate and ensures constant source height (the length of the fiber immersed in the bath). The process allows for industrial-scale coating of wires and enables quality coating of ceramic fibers. The device includes a powder feed module with a vibrating plate for controlling the powder flow rate and a plurality of powder dispensers for supplying metal powder to the molten bath. The device also includes a fiber pay-out module, a fiber coating module, and a fiber take-up module. The technical effects of the invention include increased productivity, constant source height, and precise control of powder flow rate.

Problems solved by technology

Furthermore, the ceramic fibers are strong, but brittle and necessarily have to be protected with metal.

However, as the coating proceeds, the mass of metal in the levitated ball, and therefore its volume, decreases, resulting in a reduction in the source height at the place where the fiber runs.

Moreover, and in any case, even below this threshold length, the coating is unsatisfactory since its thickness decreases along the wire.

A metal coating process cannot therefore be implemented as an industrial process.

However, this process is not entirely satisfactory since the molten ball is not very stable thermally because of the proximity of the bar and the amount of mass fed per unit time is not easy to regulate.

Moreover, the device presented can only be operated with a fiber stretched horizontally, which may be constricting.

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